Streaming shows online could be damaging the environment

Streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu continue to lag way behind the likes of Google and Apple when it comes to investment in renewable energy, according to a new report from Greenpeace.

The campaign group was especially critical of Amazon Web Services, which it said continued to show a "lack of transparency" about its use of renewable energy sources to power its vast hosting business. Greenpeace also criticised Amazon for continuing to grow its business in US states that rely heavily on coal-fired power plants, such as Virginia.

Advertisement

The report, Clicking Clean (PDF), looked at the energy footprints of large data centre operators and popular websites and applications. Highest praise was reserved for Apple, Google, Facebook and data centre firm Switch, which were taking the "greatest strides" towards 100 per cent renewable energy.

Netflix's approach to renewable energy was also a cause for concern, Greenpeace said. The streaming service accounts for one=third of internet traffic in North America, but rather than directly investing in and using renewable energy sources it is likely turning to carbon offsetting or unbundled renewable energy credits. Greenpeace's report said such an approach would "do little to increase renewable energy investment". The approach earned Netflix an overall score of 17 per cent and a "D" grade. Google-owned YouTube, by comparison, scored 56 per cent and received an "A".

Apple scored highest on Greenpeace's green energy scale, with its operations using clean energy 83 per cent of the time. Facebook and Google received marks of 67 and 56 per cent respectively, while data centre firm Switch scored 100 per cent.

Across the industry, Greenpeace found that nearly 20 per cent of internet firms had committed to 100 per cent renewable energy, but also expressed concern about the influence of Chinese technology companies who continue to lag behind those in the West. The likes of Alibaba, Baidu, Tencent and Naver, all of whom are expanding globally, fell well behind their US rivals in renewable commitments mainly due to the lack of clean energy options from monopoly utilities in China.